Definition of the Target Group(s)

The diversity of the target groups is reflected in the diversity of the educational offers. In order to promote equal opportunities, the focus of the funding provided by the Federal Government and the Länder is on offering basic education measures for adults that are as broad and low-threshold as possible. The focus is on low-income, educationally disadvantaged or newly immigrated population groups.

Specific Support Measures

In November 2016, the Federation and Länder proclaimed the National Decade of Literacy and Basic Education 2016–2026 (Nationale Dekade für Alphabetisierung und Grundbildung), which takes up the findings and results of the National Strategy for Literacy and Basic Education of Adults 2012–2016 (Nationale Strategie für Alphabetisierung und Grundbildung Erwachsener) that was launched in 2012. As a broad social alliance the strategy includes, among others, the local authorities (Kommunen), trade unions, churches, the Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit – BA) and Volkshochschule associations. The goal of the National Decade is to raise the reading and writing skills as well as the level of basic education amongst adults in Germany.

More detailed information on the Decade for Literacy is available in the article on main types of provision in adult education and training.

The Volkshochschulen (local adult education centres) make a significant contribution to improving the situation of people who cannot read or write.